Warblers go caroling at Haven

The Windy Warblers perform a Christmas music show at Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities.

COURTESY PHOTO

Staff Report

Published: Monday, December 24, 2012 at 9:29 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 24, 2012 at 9:29 a.m.

The Windy Warblers are an energetic group of civic-minded carolers who love performing at Community Haven for Adults & Children with Disabilities.

With direction by Pam Durdey and Haven Industries pianist Jay Snyder, the group return each Christmas with pianist Gerard Dunn.

This year's winter program centers around the word "love." Last year, each song featured its own "color."

In addition to singing, the group brings along Santa Claus, whose elves and helpers help put smiles on the faces of residents, guests and staff.

Gift bags are organized and delivered by the Good Neighbor Ladies' Group in The Winds of St. Armands North, a Sarasota retirement village where most of the Warblers live.

The Community Haven, 4405 DeSoto Road, Sarasota, is in its 59th year serving children, teenagers and adults who have disabilities by providing services that include the Selby Preschool, therapeutic plans, adult day training, transition and employment services, community living, Kaleidoscope, Whole Child Manatee, Heavenly Haven Bakery, plant nursery and a new group home under construction.

— Submitted by Kim Clark

25 needy families receive Christmas trees

The Surfin' Plumbers recently purchased 25 Christmas trees from two nonprofit organizations and delivered them to local families in need.

Tab Hunter, owner of the residential plumbing company, bought the trees in advance from The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund and The Payton Wright Foundation, but the trees were stolen Dec. 16 from the nonprofits' tree stands on University Parkway.

When Hunter was notified Monday morning, he contacted the Manatee County Boys & Girls Club and bought an additional 25 trees from its lot.

"It broke my heart when I heard there were local families who couldn't afford to buy a Christmas tree this year," Hunter said. "It's sad that the original trees were stolen, but in the end, we know the money went to really great organizations, and we just wanted to help make sure these families get a Christmas."

The trees were delivered last week by Hunter, Katie Emmons and Sandy Albano from The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund, and Patrick Wright of The Payton Wright Foundation.

"We are so appreciative of the ongoing support from the community and businesses like The Surfin' Plumbers," said Albano, executive director of Emmons fund. "It is reassuring to know that there are so many kind-hearted people in the community that want to help in so many ways."

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund offers educational opportunities to socio-economically diverse students to attend The Out-Of-Door Academy's Upper School in Lakewood Ranch. The Payton Wright Foundation raises awareness and money for pediatric brain cancer research and assists families caring for a child with brain cancer.

— Submitted by Heather Ripley

Christmas food distribution falls short of goal

When 455 families showed up Thursday to receive Christmas gift baskets through Eternal Bread of Life Outreach Ministries, almost half did not receive any gift cards for Christmas dinner, and some children did not get toys.

"We did a whole bunch of toys yesterday, but we don't have the funding to help people with the food," the Rev. Neil McArthur said Friday.

McArthur, who runs the outreach with his wife, Shirley, said more than 200 families did not receive any gift cards to buy food.

While they were able to give toys to about 520 children, Shirley McArthur said 10 children did not receive any.

The outreach received toys from Toys for Tots and refurbished bicycles from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Neil McArthur said.

Mayors' Feed the Hungry donated what gift cards they could, but the need was greater.

In all, about 2,000 people were counting on receiving Christmas cheer through Eternal Bread of Life.

The McArthurs said they are hoping last-minute donations will help them provide gift cards for all the families — even if it is after Tuesday.

"We'll still make sure people get help through the holidays," Shirley McArthur said. "Families will still need food, and we'll get things to them."

If people are interested in giving toys, she can provide the names of the families and children.

Donations to Eternal Bread of Life can be sent to P.O. Box 581, Sarasota, FL 34230. To help immediately, call the Rev. McArthur at 536-3488 or Shirley McArthur at 544-8567.

— Earle Kimel, staff writer

Service clubs help Safe Children's Coalition

Each year, Vivian Quinones rounds up gift cards and cash from her friends and colleagues in The Gulf Coast Arbor service club.

Their goal is to make sure that every teenager in the Safe Children's Coalition receives a gift card over the holidays. The coalition, a collaboration between the Sarasota Family YMCA and Manatee Glens, provides services for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned; many are in the foster care system.

"I'm proud of these people who always come through for the teens," Quinones said. :We chose to give to teens because they are often overlooked and miss out at the holidays. We thought that gift cards were the best way to go since it's so hard to predict what teens want."

After soliciting the Gulf Coast Arbor club, she asked fellow members of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch to participate. Through their contributions, they bought gift cards for each of the 73 teenagers.

"This is so heart-warming; we are always touched and inspired by the kindness of these people who will probably never meet these young people," coalition Director of Child Welfares Stefanie Babb said. "These teens are so grateful for gifts that help them feel like a typical kid."

<p>The Windy Warblers are an energetic group of civic-minded carolers who love performing at Community Haven for Adults & Children with Disabilities.</p><p>With direction by Pam Durdey and Haven Industries pianist Jay Snyder, the group return each Christmas with pianist Gerard Dunn.</p><p>This year's winter program centers around the word "love." Last year, each song featured its own "color." </p><p>In addition to singing, the group brings along Santa Claus, whose elves and helpers help put smiles on the faces of residents, guests and staff.</p><p>Gift bags are organized and delivered by the Good Neighbor Ladies' Group in The Winds of St. Armands North, a Sarasota retirement village where most of the Warblers live.</p><p>The Community Haven, 4405 DeSoto Road, Sarasota, is in its 59th year serving children, teenagers and adults who have disabilities by providing services that include the Selby Preschool, therapeutic plans, adult day training, transition and employment services, community living, Kaleidoscope, Whole Child Manatee, Heavenly Haven Bakery, plant nursery and a new group home under construction. </p><p>— Submitted by Kim Clark</p><p><b>25 needy families receive Christmas trees</b></p><p>The Surfin' Plumbers recently purchased 25 Christmas trees from two nonprofit organizations and delivered them to local families in need.</p><p>Tab Hunter, owner of the residential plumbing company, bought the trees in advance from The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund and The Payton Wright Foundation, but the trees were stolen Dec. 16 from the nonprofits' tree stands on University Parkway.</p><p>When Hunter was notified Monday morning, he contacted the Manatee County Boys & Girls Club and bought an additional 25 trees from its lot.</p><p>"It broke my heart when I heard there were local families who couldn't afford to buy a Christmas tree this year," Hunter said. "It's sad that the original trees were stolen, but in the end, we know the money went to really great organizations, and we just wanted to help make sure these families get a Christmas."</p><p>The trees were delivered last week by Hunter, Katie Emmons and Sandy Albano from The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund, and Patrick Wright of The Payton Wright Foundation.</p><p>"We are so appreciative of the ongoing support from the community and businesses like The Surfin' Plumbers," said Albano, executive director of Emmons fund. "It is reassuring to know that there are so many kind-hearted people in the community that want to help in so many ways."</p><p>The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund offers educational opportunities to socio-economically diverse students to attend The Out-Of-Door Academy's Upper School in Lakewood Ranch. The Payton Wright Foundation raises awareness and money for pediatric brain cancer research and assists families caring for a child with brain cancer.</p><p>— Submitted by Heather Ripley</p><p><b>Christmas food distribution falls short of goal</b></p><p>When 455 families showed up Thursday to receive Christmas gift baskets through Eternal Bread of Life Outreach Ministries, almost half did not receive any gift cards for Christmas dinner, and some children did not get toys.</p><p>"We did a whole bunch of toys yesterday, but we don't have the funding to help people with the food," the Rev. Neil McArthur said Friday.</p><p>McArthur, who runs the outreach with his wife, Shirley, said more than 200 families did not receive any gift cards to buy food.</p><p>While they were able to give toys to about 520 children, Shirley McArthur said 10 children did not receive any.</p><p>The outreach received toys from Toys for Tots and refurbished bicycles from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Neil McArthur said.</p><p>Mayors' Feed the Hungry donated what gift cards they could, but the need was greater.</p><p>In all, about 2,000 people were counting on receiving Christmas cheer through Eternal Bread of Life.</p><p>The McArthurs said they are hoping last-minute donations will help them provide gift cards for all the families — even if it is after Tuesday.</p><p>"We'll still make sure people get help through the holidays," Shirley McArthur said. "Families will still need food, and we'll get things to them."</p><p>If people are interested in giving toys, she can provide the names of the families and children.</p><p>Donations to Eternal Bread of Life can be sent to P.O. Box 581, Sarasota, FL 34230. To help immediately, call the Rev. McArthur at 536-3488 or Shirley McArthur at 544-8567.</p><p>— Earle Kimel, staff writer</p><p><B>Service clubs help Safe Children's Coalition</b></p><p>Each year, Vivian Quinones rounds up gift cards and cash from her friends and colleagues in The Gulf Coast Arbor service club.</p><p>Their goal is to make sure that every teenager in the Safe Children's Coalition receives a gift card over the holidays. The coalition, a collaboration between the Sarasota Family YMCA and Manatee Glens, provides services for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned; many are in the foster care system.</p><p>"I'm proud of these people who always come through for the teens," Quinones said. :We chose to give to teens because they are often overlooked and miss out at the holidays. We thought that gift cards were the best way to go since it's so hard to predict what teens want."</p><p>After soliciting the Gulf Coast Arbor club, she asked fellow members of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch to participate. Through their contributions, they bought gift cards for each of the 73 teenagers.</p><p>"This is so heart-warming; we are always touched and inspired by the kindness of these people who will probably never meet these young people," coalition Director of Child Welfares Stefanie Babb said. "These teens are so grateful for gifts that help them feel like a typical kid."</p><p>— Submitted by Sondra Guffey</p>